Hay-rack ladder.



W. JENTZ, JR. HAY RACK LADDER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 3. 1914.

Patented Dec. 7, 1915.

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COLUMBIA I'LANOGRAPH CO.,WASHINGTON, D. c.

WILLIAM E. JENTZ, JR., OF PLATTEVILLE, WISCONSIN.

HAY-RACK LADDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 7, 1915.

Application filed February 3, 1914. Serial No. 816,211.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, VVILLIAM E. J ENTZ, J r.,a citizen of the United States, residing at Platteville, in the countyof Grant, State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Hay-Rack Ladders; and I do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such aswill enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make anduse the same.

This invention relates to improvements in attachments for hay racks.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a simple and novellyconstructed ladder for the hay rack which will be durable inconstruction and efiicient in operation.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved hay rackladder. Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line :2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3is a vertical section on the line of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a horizontalsectional view on the line of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail ofthe upper end of the ladders showing a modification thereof.

Referring particularly to the accompanying drawings, the frame portionof the lad der is formed of a single strip of channel iron doubled onitself as at 10 to form the depending side rails 11. The lower ends ofthese legs have a bolt 12 extending therethrough, this belt beingdisposed through transverse openings 13 in the sills 1st of the hayrack. The ladder is thus capable of being folded down into the rack whenthe rack is emptied. The strip of channel metal 1 is so bent that thechannel portion presents its open portion inwardly, and extendingbetween the legs or rails 11 are the rungs 15. These rungs are alsoformed of channel iron and have the attaching flanges 16 formed at theiropposite ends and bolted or otherwise secured to the bottom walls of theopposite channels. Secured to one of the rails 11 near the upper end isa spring finger 17, this finger being arranged to clamp the drivingreins against the rail. The curvedportion 10 has the bottom wall of thechannel concave-convex as indicated at 18 in Fig. 2. This, in connectionwith the angular features of the members of the ladder serve to producea rigid and durable structure. 1

Pivotally mounted on one of the side rail 11, near the lower end is alatch 19 which engages over the cross piece 20 of the hay rack, to holdthe ladder in elevated position. The side rail is also provided with theoutstanding pins 21 and 22 which limit the pivotal movement of the latch19 in both directions.

As seen in Fig. 5 the upper end of the ladder is divided into the twocurved portion 10, the inwardly directed ends 23 of which are detachablysecured together by the bolt 24. Thus the ladder can be taken apart andconveniently packed for storage or shipment. It will be noted that theends 23 curve away from each other thus provid ing a space therebetweenfor the reception of the end of the usual hay retaining pole.

What is claimed, is The combination with a hay rack including a reartransverse rail, of a ladder including side rails pivotally mounted onthe rack, a pivoted beveled-nose hook mounted on one of the rails of theladder and adapted for engagement with the transverse rail, and stoplugs on the said side rail for limiting the swinging movement of thehook where by the automatic engagement of the hook with the transverserail is assured.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature, in the presence of twowitnesses.

VTILLIAM E. JENTZ, J11. Witnesses J. F. TIEDEMANN, WM. H. TIEDEMANN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

